Looking to include a unity candle ceremony or similar tradition in your wedding? Gaining in popularity, some of these are recent innovations, while others are cultural traditions that go back hundreds and hundreds of years.

THE UNITY CANDLE

One of the most common ceremonies. The bride and groom each take a lit candle and simultaneously light a third larger “unity candle.” They may blow out their individual lights, or leave them lit, symbolizing that they have not lost their individuality in their unity.

ROSE CEREMONY

A simple unity ceremony where the bride and groom exchange roses. Other variations: the families exchange roses, the bride and groom exchange roses withtheir families, the bride and groom exchange roses and then present their mothers with the roses.

WINE CEREMONY

The bride and groom each take a carafe of wine and pour it into one single glass, which they both drink from.

WATER CEREMONY

The couple each pour a different colored water into a single glass, creating a third color.

SAND CEREMONY

Similar to the water ceremony, the bride and groom both pour different color sand into a glass.

SALT CEREMONY

Indian weddings often include a salt ceremony, where the bride passes a handful of salt to her groom without spilling any. He then passes it back to her and the exchange is repeated three times. She then performs then performs the salt exchange with the groom’s parents, symbolizing her blending with her new family.

BREAKING BREAD CEREMONY

The bride and groom tear off pieces of bread, then they eat a piece. Sometimes the bread is also shared with family and friends. It symbolizes their future as a family together.